Part of pet parenting is choosing safe, quality products that help you keep your furry friend healthy and happy. A safe, durable feeder is one of the most important things you need to get for your pet. However, it’s hard to know what to pick, especially when so many options are on the market.
Five Qualities to Consider When Choosing a Pet Feeder
Before you start shopping for the perfect feeder, you need to know what qualities make it a great pick. In a nutshell, you want a feeder that’s durable, easy to clean, safe, and the appropriate size for your pet. Keep reading for a closer look at these qualities and how the Neater Feeder has them all.
1. Durability
Your pet uses their feeder daily, and if you have an eager eater, then your pet’s dishes likely take quite a hit. Frequent use and holding up against rowdy pets are the main reasons you want to make durability a priority.
If you have a large dog, durability becomes even more vital. For example, a rambunctious Dalmatian that tends to smack and shove their food dish around as they eat wouldn’t do well with a glass bowl. Therefore, look for a feeder made from high-quality materials that won’t shatter or break, no matter how intense your pet’s eating habits.
2. Ease of Cleaning
Pet dishes are one of the most contaminated items in homes, which is why it’s critical to clean your furry friend’s dishes regularly. The pet insurance company, Trupanion, recommends washing food and water bowls every day and after every meal if you use wet food.
However, when life gets busy, it’s tempting to skip a few washes here and there. Unfortunately, this can lead to nasty bacteria and other ick factors hanging out in your pet’s feeder.
Therefore, it’s wise to find feeders that are easy to clean to ensure you keep up with regular washing and aren’t tempted to skip a few days. Search for models that are dishwasher-safe for the ultimate convenience.
3. Capacity
Dogs and cats come in different sizes, which means they need different amounts of food. If you buy a tiny food bowl for your Rottweiler, you either won’t be able to fit the full serving or you’ll end up with a huge mess.
On the flip side, a small Yorkie doesn’t need a food bowl the size of a baby bathtub. It’s important to find the right capacity of feeder for your pet to fit their full serving of food. It also should be big enough so that the food doesn’t reach or overtop the brim, which increases the chance of a mess.
It’s also necessary to consider other factors when determining the appropriate feeder capacity for your situation. For example, how many pets will use the feeder, and how often do you feed your pets? Do you put the entire amount of food for the day in the feeder or do you split it up into multiple servings?
4. Special Features
Feeders often come with special features, like filtering systems, sensors, elevated bowls, and automatic cleaning systems. Automatic feeders may seem like a great solution if you plan to be away for an extended time or you don’t want to remember a feeding schedule.
However, they’re not the best option for pets with no cut-off on their appetite. In other words, is your fur baby the type that will keep eating if food is in their dish? If so, the constant access to food that many auto-feeders provide could contribute to obesity issues.
It’s also worth noting to be cautious of fancy mechanical feeders that use sensors or timers to feed your pet set amounts of food. Mechanical parts can malfunction. For example, if a sensor fails, your pet may get more or less food than they’re supposed to get. Also, the more mechanical parts a product has the more things on it can wear down or break.
5. Safety
You need to be careful when selecting your pet’s dishes to not get ones made with cheap materials. Many plastic bowls and feeders have chemical additives that leach into the water and food. These chemicals can cause health issues, behavioral problems, cancer, and other adverse reactions.
Even bowls that carry a BPA-free label or are stamped as food-safe might contain traces of lead. Be vigilant when reading labels and look for bowls that are free from chemicals and hazardous materials.
How the Neater Feeder Checks All of the Boxes
The Neater Pets Neater Feeder possesses all of the above characteristics, making it a no-brainer for pet parents looking for a safe, quality feeder.
The Neater Feeder is Durable and Safe
The Neater Feeder is made from durable, BPA-free plastic, and the removable bowls are made from stainless steel. It’s also free from chemicals found in many other dog bowls, like phthalates and industrial chemicals that sometimes show up in recycled plastics.
It’s Easy to Clean and Use
The bowls and feeder are dishwasher-safe (top-rack), so they’re easy to clean. Plus, removable stainless steel bowls mean you can easily wash them as needed and prep your pet’s next meal, making it easy to use the Neater Feeder.
Special Features Keep Your Floors Clean and Your Pet Comfortable
You won’t have to worry about cleaning up messy floors when you use the Neater Feeder. The patented design keeps water and food inside the feeder thanks to the Neater Feeder’s unique filter system.
Spilled food collects around the bowls on top, inside the feeder’s edges, while filtering water down a gentle slope. The water passes through small filtration holes into the reservoir below. In addition to keeping your floors tidy, this feature also reduces wasted kibble.
The raised walls double as splash guards, so overzealous drinkers don’t send water flying onto your floors. Optional leg extensions make it possible to elevate the feeder, making it easier on older pets or those with joint or neck problems. Pets don’t have to lean down to reach their dish, which takes the strain off of their neck and shoulders.
The Neater Feeder Comes With Many Options
Finding the right size food and water dishes for your dog or cat is critical. The Neater Feeder comes in a variety of sizes and models so you can find the right size feeder for your pet. There are many capacity options to choose from, ranging from one to nine cups.
Choose between the Express or Deluxe Feeder, selecting the best model for your pet. Decide between small, medium, or large sizes, with or without leg extensions, and even pick from an assortment of fun colors. Even the stainless steel bowls have options, with regular and slow-feed designs available.
Your Pet Deserves the Best Feeder
Your pet deserves the very best, which is why you owe it to them to check out the Neater Feeder. It makes mealtimes cleaner and safer for your pet (and your floors). But great pet parenting doesn’t stop with your dog or cat’s food dish.
Peruse the Neater Pets blog for more ways to take care of your pet and keep them living their best life. You’ll find helpful resources, tips, and suggestions on everything from health-related topics to how to spend the holidays with your furry friend.